Santry Community Garden is growing in popularity

A HIDDEN gem of orchards and gardening lies within the heart of Santry and the local community is being urged to visit.

Located in Santry Demesne, Santry Community Garden was founded in 2010 with the aim to revitalise the garden and turn it into a wonderful amenity for the whole neighbourhood.

Once a barren, locked up plot that was at risk of being taken up by new apartment blocks, there is now a thriving kitchen garden, Heritage Orchard and a hub for many community activities.

John Kelleher, a member of Santry Community Garden, says: “It’s a community resource and these days when there’s a lot of emphasis on getting people outdoors and working with nature in the interest of health, physical and mental, here’s a resource that’s hidden away in the back of Santry Demesne that people don’t really know about, but it’s to be discovered. It’s a gem, it’s a Garden of Eden, it’s a paradise.”

Santry Community Garden is not simply a haven for experienced gardeners, it can be enjoyed by anyone. The local community are encouraged to visit the garden for the “sheer pleasure of visiting and see what’s growing in North Dublin”. If interested in sharing a role in the gardening, people can join for just €20 per year.  

“It’s a way of keeping active. You’re in touch with nature and it keeps your interests going because if you plant something early on in the year, well you’re going to be interested in how that grows throughout the season.

“It’s an engaging type of activity. Once you get involved it becomes very interesting to people. We do have a cup of tea, so there’s a bit of fun and talking to likeminded people. There is a light hearted side to it,” Kelleher says. 

With over 100 members, who work on an entirely voluntary basis, Kelleher describes how the garden work is kept up to date through a weekly priority list system.

“There are gardeners helping out and they draw up a list of jobs to be done. Everybody shares the work. If you turn up and you started a job and didn’t finish it, the chances are by the time you come back somebody else will have done it,” he explains. 

With an experienced gardener always on site, members, new and old, are encouraged to pick whatever job they would like to do and if necessary, will be provided with instruction and guidance on how to tackle the tasks.

Santry Community Garden grows a vast array of produce, which changes from week to week. From grapes and apples, to leeks and plums, there is an ever changing supply of produce that is available for members to take home. A stunning feature is the National Collection of Heritage Variety Apple trees. With over 200 trees planted, Kelleher notes that they are trying to recreate all of the old Irish varieties of apples that no longer grow in the country. 

He speaks with incredible passion when asked about his involvement in the garden.

“I have made it a regular thing in my life. I started a couple of years ago. I’m a volunteer, I go up every Wednesday and there would have to be something else serious going on before I’d miss my Wednesday. I go up there at about 1 o’clock and I would be there until about 4 or 5 o’clock. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be there,” he adds. 

Santry Community Garden is open every Wednesday and Friday from 2-4pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11-1pm. 

REPORT: Hayley Halpin